Brownlow Medallist

Scully and Trengove were hardly bad picks. Martin is on another level sure but there's no point agitating about going it safe when our two definitely had the talent (and showed it early days) to be elite players of the comp even if not on the same devastating level as Dusty. I'd have been perfectly happy for Martin to be the best player in the comp at Richmond if Trengove hadn't gotten injured and Scully hadn't left and we hadn't become a basketcase where all talent died anyway. Don't have to get the best player at 1 and 2, just have to get good ones. Your Dusty type is much more effective when you've already laid the platform with a straight laced vanilla star like Cotchin two years prior. Scully and Trengove could have been our Cotchin. 2010 was an extremely underrated season with the talent of those two pushing us up IMO. Drafting those two v Martin didn't make much difference in the long run to our fortune.

Premiership Player

What a bog average weekend for AFL fans who's teams weren't involved in finals! Same as last year! The GF saved what was otherwise a shocking finals series last year as well for non invested fans... Essendon were always going to get smashed this weekend. Geelong and Brisbane were always going to sh*t the bed, and the Dogs were just plain disappointing. Let's hope next week's games are more interesting with the two away teams looking dangerous.

Club Legend

Scully and Trengove were hardly bad picks. Martin is on another level sure but there's no point agitating about going it safe when our two definitely had the talent (and showed it early days) to be elite players of the comp even if not on the same devastating level as Dusty. I'd have been perfectly happy for Martin to be the best player in the comp at Richmond if Trengove hadn't gotten injured and Scully hadn't left and we hadn't become a basketcase where all talent died anyway. Don't have to get the best player at 1 and 2, just have to get good ones. Your Dusty type is much more effective when you've already laid the platform with a straight laced vanilla star like Cotchin two years prior. Scully and Trengove could have been our Cotchin. 2010 was an extremely underrated season with the talent of those two pushing us up IMO. Drafting those two v Martin didn't make much difference in the long run to our fortune.

Don’t disagree with the above. However, how do you reconcile this logic with your earlier post in this thread criticising our recruiters for picking up ‘inside midfielders’ Tom Sparrow and James Jordon instead of someone like Liam Baker?

Brownlow Medallist

Don’t disagree with the above. However, how do you reconcile this logic with your earlier post in this thread criticising our recruiters for picking up ‘inside midfielders’ Tom Sparrow and James Jordon instead of someone like Liam Baker?

I don't know if it's comparable. I think 2018 aside we're actually decent at developing talent now (see: Harmes, Hunt, Gawn, Frost, Petty, Oliver) and I'm sure we'll turn Sparrow and Jordon into perfectly decent footballers. If Sparrow had stayed fit and been drafted by Richmond he'd have played tonight just like Jack Ross was in their top 2 or 3 inside mids at some stages this season. I just don't think he's what we need. Baker more versatile.

Scully wasn't a foot soldier in 2010-11, at his best he was very good very young. I don't think I'll ever see a first year midfielder play a game like he did v a top 4 side in the Dogs that Friday night.

Going to GWS was great for his bank account but not for his development, he was always made to play out of position to support the side and I'd argue he'd have hit that 2016 peak or higher earlier and for longer at any other club (was also nominated for AA in 2017 IIRC and then didn't play a game in 2018).

Trengove’s numbers in his first two seasons were similar to Rory Sloane’s. The great unknown is where his development would’ve taken him. He showed glimpses but it wasn’t the same as the Ox, tearing games apart before being cut down in his prime. No doubt he would’ve been a much better player without the foot injuries taking hold but it’s quite possible he could’ve ended up stagnating anyway like Jack Grimes.

Scully has been a very average number 1 pick even accounting for his injuries. We made out like bandits with the Ablett-level compensation for him when the Doggies lost Callan Ward who is a gun.

I don't know if it's comparable. I think 2018 aside we're actually decent at developing talent now (see: Harmes, Hunt, Gawn, Frost, Petty, Oliver) and I'm sure we'll turn Sparrow and Jordon into perfectly decent footballers. If Sparrow had stayed fit and been drafted by Richmond he'd have played tonight just like Jack Ross was in their top 2 or 3 inside mids at some stages this season. I just don't think he's what we need. Baker more versatile.

Premiership Player

What a bog average weekend for AFL fans who's teams weren't involved in finals! Same as last year! The GF saved what was otherwise a shocking finals series last year as well for non invested fans... Essendon were always going to get smashed this weekend. Geelong and Brisbane were always going to sh*t the bed, and the Dogs were just plain disappointing. Let's hope next week's games are more interesting with the two away teams looking dangerous.

I think statistically the finals has gone exactly to plan Geelong being the exception. Having said that Geelong never win after the bye. Travelling teams don't often win, Essendon were never going to win. Richmond were far more experienced and I feel it was the same case with gws.

Premium Platinum

Scully wasn't a foot soldier in 2010-11, at his best he was very good very young. I don't think I'll ever see a first year midfielder play a game like he did v a top 4 side in the Dogs that Friday night.

Going to GWS was great for his bank account but not for his development, he was always made to play out of position to support the side and I'd argue he'd have hit that 2016 peak or higher earlier and for longer at any other club (was also nominated for AA in 2017 IIRC and then didn't play a game in 2018).

I never liked Scully the player from his first season, he has s**t house skills and was weak in the body and contest. He's a very average player in the comp and really been underwhelming his whole career except one season.

Norm Smith Medallist

Collingwood have had and will have a nice run to the GF. From miraculously stealing 4th spot (thanks to the Hawks) last round, to a home final against Geelong to another game at the G vs Giants or Lions. They are in the easier side of the draw here.

Norm Smith Medallist

West Coast and Richmond the best 2 performed sides of week 1. Thought West Coast in the first half were real impressive, if they can keep that up they’ll be hard to beat. Tough side of the draw though with Geelong then Richmond.

Brownlow Medallist

I never liked Scully the player from his first season, he has s**t house skills and was weak in the body and contest. He's a very average player in the comp and really been underwhelming his whole career except one season.

Brownlow Medallist

Get on board the GWS train. Tigs, Pies and Weagles look best placed to take out the competition... has the makings of a terrible off-season any way you slice it. I hope the team that no one supports wins it.

Brownlow Medallist

Get on board the GWS train. Tigs, Pies and Weagles look best placed to take out the competition... has the makings of a terrible off-season any way you slice it. I hope the team that no one supports wins it.